6'6" NBA players: Which are the best 6'6" NBA players in the league currently?

6'6" NBA players: Which are the best 6'6" NBA players in the league currently?

Helix Odhiambo
updated at September 27, 2023 at 10:26 PM

How many 6'6" NBA players do you know? Basketball is one of the most popular sports on earth, known for producing tall players. Many have achieved outstanding results thanks to their heights and talents. Although the National Basketball League has even taller players, measuring over seven feet, 6'6" is a decent height.

6'6" NBA players of all time
Klay Thompson (L) of the Golden State Warriors, Zion Williamson (C) of the New Orleans Pelicans and DeMar DeRozan (R) of the Chicago Bulls are among the famous 6'6" NBA stars currently. Photo: Ezra Shaw, Tim Nwachukwu, Bryan Cereijo (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Most 6'6" NBA stars play as small forwards or guards. They are crucial positions in basketball responsible for scoring points and creating scoring opportunities for their team. This article lists the top 10 best 6ft 6 NBA players in history from the Western and Eastern Conferences, including their achievements.

Best 6'6" NBA players of all time

Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant are among the top basketball legends whose height is 6'6". The current generation includes Zion Williamson, DeMar DeRozan, and Klay Thompson. Besides their height advantage, they have displayed brilliant skills and fighting spirit that helped them dominate opponents and win awards and titles.

Is 6'6" good for the NBA?

Best 6'6" NBA players
The United States national team players line up alongside children from the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) ahead of the 2023 FIBA World Cup exhibition game against Puerto Rico at T-Mobile Arena on 7 August 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Ethan Miller
Source: Getty Images

The average height of NBA players during the 2022-23 season was about 6'6". It is ideal for basketball players. However, some legendary athletes are under 6'6", proving that height alone is not enough to succeed on the court.

Top 10 best 6 feet 6 NBA players

Our list of best NBA players who stand at 6'6" consists of all-time greats and modern-day superstars. Many people adore them for their remarkable performance and achievements.

Player

Position

Team

Michael Jordan

Shooting guard/small forward

Retired

Kobe Bryant

Shooting guard/small forward

Retired

Zion Williamson

Power forward

New Orleans Pelicans

DeMar DeRozan

Power forward/small forward

Chicago Bulls

Klay Thompson

Shooting guard/small forward

Golden State Warriors

Jaylen Brown

Point guard

Boston Celtics

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Point guard

Oklahoma City Thunder

Cade Cunningham

Point guard/shooting guard

Detroit Pistons

Lonzo Ball

Point guard/shooting guard

Chicago Bulls

Mikal Bridges

Small forward/shooting guard

Brooklyn Nets

10. Mikal Bridges

6'6" NBA players Western Conference
Mikal Bridges (5) of the US men's national team shoots a three-point basket against the Canadians in the 3rd place playoff at the 2023 FIBA World Cup on 10 September 2023 at Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines. Photo: Stephen Gosling
Source: Getty Images

Mikal was an outstanding basketball player in high school and college. He won the national championships in 2016 and 2018 with the Villanova Wildcats, becoming one of the most sought-after players. Bridges has enjoyed a fantastic career in the NBA, playing for the Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets.

  • Date of birth: 30 August 1996
  • Age: 27 (as of September 2023)
  • Place of birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
  • Weight: 95 kg (209.4 lbs)
  • NBA draft: 2018 (1st round, 10th overall pick)
  • Teams: Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets
  • Social media: Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter)

9. Lonzo Ball

Lonzo's NBA career has had ups and downs due to injuries, but he remains one of the best when fit. In his early tenure, he suffered shoulder and knee injuries with the LA Lakers before joining the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019 and the Chicago Bulls in 2021.

Lonzo is known for his dazzling passes, impressive athleticism and knockdown shooting. He sustained a career-ending injury that will keep him out of the 2023-24 season.

  • Date of birth: 27 October 1997
  • Age: 25 (as of September 2023)
  • Place of birth: Anaheim, California, United States
  • Weight: 86 kg (189.6 lbs)
  • NBA draft: 2017 (1str round, 2nd overall pick)
  • Teams: Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, Chicago Bulls
  • Social media: Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter)

8. Cade Cunningham

6ft 6 NBA players
Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons is among the top 6'6" youngsters in the NBA. Photo: Jeff Haynes, Kate Frese (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

The small forward won numerous high school and college awards, including the 2020 Naismith Award and the Big 12 Player of the Year accolade. He also bagged a gold medal with the United States at the 2019 FIBA Under-19 World Cup. He is among the top young players in the NBA in 2023.

  • Date of birth: 25 September 2001
  • Age: 22 (as of September 2023)
  • Place of birth: Arlington, Texas, United States
  • Weight: 99.8 kg (220 lbs)
  • NBA draft: 2021 (1st round, 1st pick
  • Teams: Detroit Pistons
  • Social media: Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter)

7. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Is 6'6" good for the NBA?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder dribbles the ball up the court against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on 12 December 2022 in Dallas, Texas. Photo: Tim Heitman
Source: Getty Images

Gilgeous-Alexander is a Canadian point guard playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder. He is among the best 6'6" NBA players in the Western Conference. Shai excelled in basketball at Hamilton Heights Christian Academy and the University of Kentucky. He has become a versatile guard with a well-rounded skill set.

  • Date of birth: 12 July 1998
  • Age: 25 (as of September 2023)
  • Place of birth: Toronto, Canada
  • Weight: 82 kg (180 lbs)
  • NBA draft: 2018 (1st round, 11th overall pick)
  • Teams: Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Social media: Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter)

6. Jaylen Brown

6'6" guards in the NBA
Jaylen Brown (R) of the Boston Celtics jumps to challenge Caleb Martin (L) of the Miami Heat during Game 7 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at the TD Garden in Boston, MA, on 29 May 2023. Photo: Matt Stone
Source: Getty Images

Brown is one of the best 6'6" guards in the NBA. He began his career at the California Golden Bears before joining the Boston Celtics in 2016. He has been named to the All-Rookie Second Team once and the NBA All-Star team once. The point guard helped the Celtics reach the NBA Finals in 2020 but lost to LA Lakers.

  • Date of birth: 24 October 1996
  • Age: 26 (as of September 2023)
  • Place of birth: Marietta, Georgia, United States
  • Weight: 101.15 kg (223 lbs)
  • NBA draft: 2016 (1 round, third overall pick)
  • Teams: Boston Celtics
  • Social media: Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter)

5. Klay Thompson

6'6" NBA players in the east
Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors has established himself among the greatest three-point shooters in the history of the NBA. Photos: Rocky Widner, Ezra Shaw (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Thompson is a four-time NBA Champion, five-time All-Star, and two-time member of the All-NBA Team. He also won two Olympic gold medals with the United States. Klay Thompson has been with the Golden State Warriors since 2011, establishing himself among the best 6'6" NBA players of all time.

  • Date of birth: 8 February 1990
  • Age: 33 (as of September 2023)
  • Place of birth: Los Angeles, California, United States
  • Weight: 99.8 kg (220 lbs)
  • NBA draft: 2009 (1st round, 9th overall pick)
  • Teams: Golden State Warriors
  • Social media: Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter)

4. DeMar DeRozan

DeRozan has over 14 years of experience in the NBA. He is among the best 6'6" NBA players in the Eastern Conference. The power forward has appeared in the All-Star four times and the All-NBA Team twice. He helped the Raptors win the 2019 NBA championship and is the team's all-time leading scorer with 9,764 points.

  • Date of birth: 7 August 1989
  • Age: 34 (as of September 2023)
  • Place of birth: Compton, California, United States
  • Weight: 99.8 kg (220 lbs)
  • NBA draft: 2011 (1st round, 11th overall pick)
  • Teams: Toronto Raptors, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls
  • Social media: Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter)

3. Zion Williamson

Best 6'6" NBA players
Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans looks on during the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on 2 January 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo: Tim Nwachukwu (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Williamson is one of the most dominant power forwards. He is known for his strength, speed, and explosiveness. Zion won numerous awards and titles in high school and college before taking the NBA by storm. He is one of the most exciting young players in the league.

  • Date of birth: 6 July 2000
  • Age: 23 (as of September 2023)
  • Place of birth: Salisbury, North Carolina, United States
  • Weight: 129 kg (284.4 lbs)
  • NBA draft: 2019 (1st round, 1st pick)
  • Teams: New Orleans Pelicans
  • Social media: Instagram, Facebook

2. Kobe Bryant

6'6" NBA players
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the 2010 NBA Playoffs in the Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on 29 May 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo: Ronald Martinez
Source: Getty Images

The late Kobe Bryant played in the NBA from 1996 to 2016 for LA Lakers, winning five NBA Championships. His 6'6" height, talent, and skills helped him make history. He was an 18-time All-Star, 15-time All-NBA Team member, and 12-time member of the All-Defensive team.

Bryant ranks fourth on the NBA's all-time scoring list with 33,643 points. He died in a tragic helicopter crash on 26 January 2020 with his 13-year-old daughter and seven others.

  • Date of birth: 23 August 1978
  • Date of death: 26 January 2020
  • Place of birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
  • Weight: 96 kg (284.4 lbs)
  • NBA draft: 1996 (1st round, 13th overall pick)
  • Teams: Los Angeles Lakers
  • Social media: Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter)

1. Michael Jordan

Best 6'6" NBA players
Michael Jordan enjoyed vast success in the NBA and impacted society more than other basketball legends. Photo: Nathaniel S. Butler, Chuck Berman (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Top on the list of the best 6'6" NBA players is Michael Jordan, considered the greatest player in the league's history. Jordan played in the NBA from 1984 to 2003 for the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards. He won six NBA Championships and received five MVP awards. He was also named to the All-Star team 14 times.

Jordan is also the leading scorer in NBA history with 32,292 points. He won the 1992 Olympic gold medal with the United States.

  • Date of birth: 17 February 1963
  • Age: 26 January 2020
  • Place of birth: Brooklyn, New York, United States
  • Weight: 98 kg (216 lbs)
  • NBA draft: 1984 (1st round, 3rd overall pick)
  • Teams: Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards

Many 6'6" NBA players have made significant achievements in basketball, cementing their place among the all-time greats. Others have shown great potential to become superstars as their careers progress.

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Authors
Helix Odhiambo photo
Helix Odhiambo
Helix Odhiambo is an award-winning Kenyan journalist and content creator with over 6 years of experience. In 2016, he won the Goal Blaze Correspondent Award for young writers.